Patents by Inventor Michael A. Foster
Michael A. Foster has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11104459Abstract: Capture assemblies and compliant extension assemblies may be utilized for insertion into a nozzle of a liquid engine of a spacecraft. The capture assembly may include an apparatus such as a probe for insertion into the nozzle and an assembly at least partially enclosed in a forward portion of the probe. The assembly may include a plurality of actuated fingers for deploying outwardly from the probe when the probe is inserted into the nozzle. The compliant extension assembly may be at least partially enclosed in a housing connected to the capture assembly for axial movement of the probe. The compliant extension assembly may facilitate axial movement of the probe between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the probe is extended forwardly, relative to the housing.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2017Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems CorporationInventors: Peter O. Sorensen, Matthew Alan Michel, William A. Llorens, David M. Murphy, Jeffrey Braden, Michael Edward McEachen, Michael Foster
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Publication number: 20210252708Abstract: A method of operating an autonomous cleaning robot includes presenting, on a display of a handheld computing device, a graphical representation of a map including a plurality of selectable rooms, presenting, on the display, at least one selectable graphical divider representing boundaries of at least one of the plurality of selectable rooms, the at least one selectable graphical divider being adjustable to change at least one of the boundaries of the plurality of selectable rooms, receiving input, at the handheld computing device, representing a selection of an individual selectable graphical divider, receiving input, at the handheld computing device, representing at least one adjustment to the individual selectable graphical divider, the at least one adjustment including at least one of moving, rotating, or deleting the individual selectable graphical divider, and presenting, on the display, a graphical representation of a map wherein the individual selectable graphical divider is adjusted.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2021Publication date: August 19, 2021Inventors: Vanessa Wiegel, Stephen O'Dea, Kathleen Ann Mahoney, Qunxi Huang, Michael Foster, Brian Ratta, Garrett Strobel, Scott Marchant
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Patent number: 11007644Abstract: A method of operating an autonomous cleaning robot includes presenting, on a display of a handheld computing device, a graphical representation of a map including a plurality of selectable rooms, presenting, on the display, at least one selectable graphical divider representing boundaries of at least one of the plurality of selectable rooms, the at least one selectable graphical divider being adjustable to change at least one of the boundaries of the plurality of selectable rooms, receiving input, at the handheld computing device, representing a selection of an individual selectable graphical divider, receiving input, at the handheld computing device, representing at least one adjustment to the individual selectable graphical divider, the at least one adjustment including at least one of moving, rotating, or deleting the individual selectable graphical divider, and presenting, on the display, a graphical representation of a map wherein the individual selectable graphical divider is adjusted.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2018Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Vanessa Wiegel, Stephen O'Dea, Kathleen Ann Mahoney, Qunxi Huang, Michael Foster, Brian Ratta, Garrett Strobel, Scott Marchant
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Publication number: 20210138659Abstract: A method includes receiving sensor data collected by an autonomous mobile robot as the autonomous mobile robot moves about an environment, the sensor data being indicative of sensor events and locations associated with the sensor events. The method includes identifying a subset of the sensor events based on the locations. The method includes providing, to a user computing device, data indicative of a recommended behavior control zone in the environment, the recommended behavior control zone containing a subset of the locations associated with the subset of the sensor events. The method includes defining, in response to a user selection from the user computing device, a behavior control zone such that the autonomous mobile robot initiates a behavior in response to encountering the behavior control zone, the behavior control zone being based on the recommended behavior control zone.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2020Publication date: May 13, 2021Inventors: Shipra Arora, Michael Foster, Frank Judge, Brandon Rohrer, Christopher Shumaker, Matthew Weyant, Alex Wong, Lauren D. Stern
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Patent number: 10808806Abstract: A multi-speed transmission including a plurality of planetary gearsets and a plurality of selective couplers to achieve at least nine forward speed ratios is disclosed. The plurality of planetary gearsets may include a first planetary gearset, a second planetary gearset, a third planetary gearset, and a fourth planetary gearset. The plurality of selective couplers may include a number of clutches and a number of brakes. The multi-speed transmission may have four planetary gearsets and six selective couplers. The six selective couplers may include three clutches and three brakes.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2019Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.Inventors: Eric S. Tryon, Michael Foster
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Patent number: 10669844Abstract: Methods and systems for characterizing a wellbore depth interval from rock fragments, including a method that includes converting measurements of a bulk rock fragment sample and of individual rock fragment samples to a concentration percent, computing a normalization deviation for each of the individual rock fragment samples relative to the bulk rock fragment sample (said normalization deviation being derived from the concentration percent of the bulk and individual rock fragment samples) and ranking the individual rock fragment samples based on a corresponding normalization deviation. The method further includes selecting one or more individual rock fragment samples based on a corresponding ranking, characterizing the properties of the wellbore depth interval from which the bulk and individual rock fragment samples originated using measured properties of at least some of the selected individual rock fragment samples and presenting to a user the characterized wellbore depth interval.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2014Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Joel Walls, Bryan Guzman, Michael Foster, Jonas Toelke, Venkata Ajay Gundepalli
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Patent number: 10634222Abstract: The present disclosure provides a multiple speed transmission having an input member, an output member, a plurality of planetary gearsets, a plurality of interconnecting members and a plurality of torque-transmitting mechanisms. The plurality of planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The input member is continuously interconnected with at least one member of one of the plurality of planetary gear sets, and the output member is continuously interconnected with another member of one of the plurality of planetary gear sets. At least eight forward speeds and one reverse speed are achieved by the selective engagement of the plurality of torque-transmitting mechanisms.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2017Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: ALLISON TRANSMISSION, INC.Inventors: Michael Foster, Brian Schoolcraft
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Publication number: 20200070345Abstract: A method of operating an autonomous cleaning robot includes presenting, on a display of a handheld computing device, a graphical representation of a map including a plurality of selectable rooms, presenting, on the display, at least one selectable graphical divider representing boundaries of at least one of the plurality of selectable rooms, the at least one selectable graphical divider being adjustable to change at least one of the boundaries of the plurality of selectable rooms, receiving input, at the handheld computing device, representing a selection of an individual selectable graphical divider, receiving input, at the handheld computing device, representing at least one adjustment to the individual selectable graphical divider, the at least one adjustment including at least one of moving, rotating, or deleting the individual selectable graphical divider, and presenting, on the display, a graphical representation of a map wherein the individual selectable graphical divider is adjusted.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2018Publication date: March 5, 2020Inventors: Vanessa Wiegel, Stephen O'Dea, Kathleen Ann Mahoney, Qunxi Huang, Michael Foster, Brian Ratta, Garrett Strobel
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Patent number: 10508989Abstract: An optical chemical analyser comprises a source of a first amount of radiation (46), an optics module configured to direct the first amount of radiation such that it is incident on or passes through a target (14) at a target location, the optics module further being configured to receive a second amount of Raman scattered radiation from the target and direct the second amount of radiation (206) to a Spatial Interference Fourier Transform (SIFT) module, the SIFT module including a first dispersive element (216) and a second dispersive element (218), the SIFT module being configured such that a portion of the second amount of radiation is received by the first dispersive element and interferes with a portion of the second amount of radiation received by the second dispersive element to form an interference pattern; the SIFT module further comprising a detector (48) configured to capture an image of at least a portion of the interference pattern and produce a detector signal (226) based on the captured image; anType: GrantFiled: July 14, 2018Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignee: International Moisture Analysers LimitedInventors: Paul Stockwell, David Widdup, Michael Foster, Jonathan Storey
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Patent number: 10451147Abstract: A multi-speed transmission including a plurality of planetary gearsets and a plurality of selective couplers to achieve at least nine forward speed ratios is disclosed. The plurality of planetary gearsets may include a first planetary gearset, a second planetary gearset, a third planetary gearset, and a fourth planetary gearset. The plurality of selective couplers may include a number of clutches and a number of brakes. The multi-speed transmission may have four planetary gearsets and six selective couplers. The six selective couplers may include four clutches and two brakes.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2017Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.Inventors: Michael Foster, James Raszkowski
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Patent number: 10442423Abstract: A power take-off (PTO) drive assembly for a transmission includes a shaft defining a shaft axis, a PTO gear defined radially about the shaft axis, and a clutch assembly positioned between the shaft and the PTO gear and having an engaged position and a disengaged position. When the clutch assembly is in the engaged position, torque is transferred from the shaft to the PTO gear. When the clutch assembly is in the disengaged position, torque is not transferred from the shaft to the PTO gear.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2016Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: ALLISON TRANSMISSION, INC.Inventors: Michael Foster, Douglas Burchett
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Publication number: 20190290992Abstract: An electronic down and distance marker system that may comprise a first marker, a second marker connected to a first marker by a physical member having a distance of about ten yards, and a down marker. The present system may include a measurement device for measuring a linear distance between the down marker and the second marker and one or more electronic displays disposed on one of the down marker and the second marker that may display a down and/or the measured linear distance between the down marker and the second marker. A light projector may project one or more of a line of light corresponding to the line to gain, and/or a shape to optically mark the line to gain on the sideline. A remote control, camera and/or an improved wireless measurement and communications capability may also be incorporated into the present system.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2019Publication date: September 26, 2019Inventor: James Michael Foster
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Patent number: 10400866Abstract: The present disclosure provides a multiple speed transmission having an input member, an output member, a plurality of planetary gearsets, a plurality of interconnecting members and a plurality of torque-transmitting mechanisms. The plurality of planetary gear sets includes first, second and ring gears. The input member is continuously interconnected with at least one member of one of the plurality of planetary gear sets, and the output member is continuously interconnected with another member of one of the plurality of planetary gear sets. At least eight forward speeds and one reverse speed are achieved by the selective engagement of the five torque-transmitting mechanisms.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2018Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: ALLISON TRANSMISSION, INC.Inventors: Michael Foster, Brian Schoolcraft
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Patent number: 10393236Abstract: The present disclosure provides a multiple speed transmission having an input member, an output member, a plurality of planetary gearsets, a plurality of interconnecting members and a plurality of torque-transmitting mechanisms. The plurality of planetary gear sets includes first, second and ring gears. The input member is continuously interconnected with at least one member of one of the plurality of planetary gear sets, and the output member is continuously interconnected with another member of one of the plurality of planetary gear sets. At least eight forward speeds and one reverse speed are achieved by the selective engagement of the five torque-transmitting mechanisms.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2018Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: ALLISON TRANSMISSION, INC.Inventors: Michael Foster, Brian Schoolcraft
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Patent number: 10393235Abstract: The present disclosure provides a multiple speed transmission having an input member, an output member, a plurality of planetary gearsets, a plurality of interconnecting members and a plurality of torque-transmitting mechanisms. The plurality of planetary gear sets includes first, second and ring gears. The input member is continuously interconnected with at least one member of one of the plurality of planetary gear sets, and the output member is continuously interconnected with another member of one of the plurality of planetary gear sets. At least eight forward speeds and one reverse speed are achieved by the selective engagement of the five torque-transmitting mechanisms.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2018Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: ALLISON TRANSMISSION, INC.Inventors: Michael Foster, Brian Schoolcraft
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Patent number: 10385945Abstract: A multiple speed transmission having an input member, an output member, a plurality of planetary gearsets, a plurality of interconnecting members and a plurality of torque-transmitting mechanisms. The plurality of planetary gear sets includes first, second and ring gears. The input member is continuously interconnected with at least one member of one of the plurality of planetary gear sets, and the output member is continuously interconnected with another member of one of the plurality of planetary gear sets. At least eight forward speeds and one reverse speed are achieved by the selective engagement of the five torque-transmitting mechanisms.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2017Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: ALLISON TRANSMISSION, INC.Inventors: Michael Foster, Brian Schoolcraft
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Publication number: 20190234493Abstract: A multi-speed transmission including a plurality of planetary gearsets and a plurality of selective couplers to achieve at least nine forward speed ratios is disclosed. The plurality of planetary gearsets may include a first planetary gearset, a second planetary gearset, a third planetary gearset, and a fourth planetary gearset. The plurality of selective couplers may include a number of clutches and a number of brakes. The multi-speed transmission may have four planetary gearsets and six selective couplers. The six selective couplers may include three clutches and three brakes.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2019Publication date: August 1, 2019Inventors: Eric S. Tryon, Michael Foster
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Publication number: 20190223121Abstract: Data is synchronized between a mobile device and a computing device over a wireless link. Synchronization operations are scheduled according to a synchronization schedule that is based on a current time of day. In one embodiment, the day can be divided into different time periods by the user. The user can also specify the frequency with which synchronization operations are to be performed during each specified period.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2019Publication date: July 18, 2019Inventors: Sandra I. Vargas, David R. Williamson, Gary W. Hall, Michael A. Foster, Juan V. Esteve Balducci
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Patent number: 10352407Abstract: A multi-speed transmission including a plurality of planetary gearsets and a plurality of selective couplers to achieve at least nine forward speed ratios is disclosed. The plurality of planetary gearsets may include a first planetary gearset, a second planetary gearset, a third planetary gearset, and a fourth planetary gearset. The plurality of selective couplers may include a number of clutches and a number of brakes. The multi-speed transmission may have four planetary gearsets and six selective couplers. The six selective couplers may include three clutches and three brakes.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2017Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.Inventors: Jezrah Horen, Douglas S. Burchett, Michael Foster
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Patent number: 10337592Abstract: The present disclosure provides a multiple speed transmission having an input member, an output member, a plurality of planetary gearsets, a plurality of interconnecting members and a plurality of torque-transmitting mechanisms. The plurality of planetary gear sets includes first, second and ring gears. The input member is continuously interconnected with at least one member of one of the plurality of planetary gear sets, and the output member is continuously interconnected with another member of one of the plurality of planetary gear sets. At least eight forward speeds and one reverse speed are achieved by the selective engagement of the five torque-transmitting mechanisms.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2018Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: ALLISON TRANSMISSION, INC.Inventors: Michael Foster, Brian Schoolcraft